DEER FARMING IN SPAIN

Maria Paternottre-Exteberria

Deer farming started in Spain in the early 80s when few people wanted to breed anything other than cattle and sheep. They chose deer because of its good farming adaptation to all kinds of land, previous experience of other people in other countries and its novelty as commercial livestock. However, wild deer were well known in Spain before; Red deer are endemic in most of the Spanish ecosystems (mountain, woodland, pastureland). Spanish Red deer belong to the subspecies Cervus elaphus hispanicus, which is only present in Spain and Portugal and it is different to Cervus elaphus elaphus: smaller size, prolificy. This subspecies has been kept on big ranches or estates for hunting purposes. These places are called "cotos de caza".

So, according to the final product of the activity, deer farming in Spain can be divided in two different groups:

1. Red deer has been traditionally associated with hunting, recreation and tourism. In the centre of Spain there are about 2000 breeding hind on 10 farms. They are selected to produce good quality stags for hunting, trophy shooting and genetic improvement of ranches and estates. These ranches can hold fallow and wild boar as well. They are called farms when they have proper net fencing, handling systems and controlled breeding and feeding. Deer are run in an extensive but controlled way, as an excessive overpopulation of Red deer would be detrimental to the ecosystem and the grass availability is limited, especially during the summer and winter.

These farms always contain the Spanish subspecies of Red deer, although the owners are worried about getting larger trophy shooting, as it is this characteristic that indicates the amount of money the hunter will pay. The introduction of new subspecies is not allowed because of the risk of genetic pollution. The health status of these hinds is yet unknown. Venison produced on these farms and ranches is considered a by-product and it is sold cheaply to Central Europe, mainly to Germany.

2. In the north of Spain the situation is completely different. It is a natural grassland area with high rainfall, less hectares per farmer and quite evenly distributed. Red deer are considered as an alternative for traditional livestock farmers. The first farmers did not have any previous experience and they were on their own, so in the beginning it was very difficult for them. A series of meeting of all deer farmers during 1998 led, in 1999, to the constitution of the Asociacion Vasco Navarra de Criadores de Ciervo. The Association has given several advantages to the farmers: they have a legal representation, they meet on a more regular basis (2 - 3 times a year) and the local governments start to be interested in them and support them officially. Some official figures, such as Diputacion de Guipuzcoa, have even funded some improvements in the farms.

Their experience has also increased. Slowly but constantly, the market for deer meat has grown and the farms start to have better offers and facilities. Most of them sell to restaurants and butchers, or in local fairs. Big department stores are starting to offer them good prices for the meat.

Ten deer farms have been stocked with deer coming from farms in Scotland, England and Belgium. Annual tuberculosis and brucellosis tests have been declared compulsory for deer farms in the area where these farms have been established. These farmers must follow some rules when slaughtering or about healthiness for their animals. These first farmers had the hard work and the future looks easier for new farmers.